"So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ron & Rue Storlie"
In loving memory of
Verna Gertrude Foster
March 23, 1922 - January 4, 2019
Verna G. Foster, 96, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Friday evening, January 4, 2019, at the Maquoketa Care Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.
A celebration of Verna's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 11, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Maquoketa, Iowa.
Verna Gertrude McCullough was born on March 23, 1922 in Maquoketa, Iowa, to David and Nina (DeMoss) McCullough. She was a 1939 graduate of Maquoketa High School and shortly thereafter received her teaching certificate from the University of Dubuque. She then taught school at five different country schools over the span of two decades. In 1960, she began teaching at Briggs Elementary School in Maquoketa where she taught first and second grades for 23 years. In 1971 she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marycrest College. This allowed her to continue teaching with the new requirements set forth by the State of Iowa. She retired in 1984 having taught a total of 31 years.
Verna married Melvin J. Foster on May 17, 1941 in Maquoketa, Iowa. To this union nine children were born. Melvin passed away on March 9, 1999.
Verna was an active and faithful member of the First United Methodist Church. Some of the church groups she was involved in were the United Methodist Women, Rachel Circle and the Stephen's Ministry. She also was a proud member of organizations in the Maquoketa community which included the Maquoketa Garden Club, Mother's Club, Retired Teacher's, and the Jackson County Roadrunners Camping Club. Additionally, she had served as a resident advocate for patients at Maquoketa Care Center. She had a special love for children and the elderly, and enjoyed quilting, traveling, camping and boating.
Those left to honor Verna's memory include her children, Geraldine (Robert) Williams of Modesto, CA, David (Joanne) Foster of S. Lake Tahoe, CA, Nancy (Dr. Wayne) Wagoner of Maquoketa, IA, Susan Foster of Cedar Rapids, IA, Terry (Dan) Miller of Bettendorf, IA, James (Marilyn) Foster of Maquoketa, IA, and Robert "Bob" (Dianna) Foster of Monmouth, IA; 21 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; 2 step-granddaughters and 3 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Melvin, one infant brother, a daughter Linda Wiese, and a son Bill Foster.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa.
Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.
Tributes
"So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Ron & Rue Storlie"
"My deepest sympathy to all of Verna's family. She was one of my teachers at the Emeline School over 60 years ago and remains one of my all-time-favorite teachers. I will always remember her radiant smile and her kindness to all. I feel privileged to have known her then and to have seen her again in April at the school reunion. I treasure the photo that was taken of Mrs. Foster, Shirley Beck Ray and myself. May you all be comforted by the memories you have of her and her beautiful life."
"My Deepest sympathy to Verna?s family. She was my teacher at the Emeline School and also a teacher to my brother in Maquoketa. She was the best and I am so glad I got to see her at the One Room School Reunion. God Bless you all.."
"So sorry about your loss. We had lots of good times with Verna playing cards and mowing her yard. Jan will never forget her as a teacher and a good friend. God Bless all of you ."
"So sorry for your loss remembering living behind you guys your mom was a sweet lady knew bill and Bob my brother and kip and Tony also I think roger would hang out there "
"To the Foster Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of you Mother. She was a terrific lady and will be missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you."
"What a truly wonderful family - we hold you all in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers at this most difficult time. May your many beautiful memories bring you peace and comfort. A beautiful life well lived - it is all reflected in each and everyone of you. Close your eyes and cherish that smile. Nancy and Allen Sellnau"
"Our deepest sympathy to Verna's family."
"Our deepest sympathy to the family"
"My Dear family....I always felt like you were the brothers and sisters I never had. Your Dad and Mom were like my own folks. Your Mom always remembered me and spoke to me at night when I worked 10-6 all that time. I was so unhappy someone like her had to become ill and weaken over time. She was so above the nasty and unsavory world we live in but I know she is in heaven with your Dad, My folks, Linda and Bill and lastly Uncle Dave and Aunt Nina. They all welcomed her home along with my Great Granddad, her brother and Aunt Olive and Uncle George. They are enjoying the beauty and love that comes with no more pain and with our Dear Savior and God our father. I send my prayers and wishes for peace for all of you, her children. I know you will miss her as I do. God Bless and keep you!"
"She was always one of my favorite teachers and people. I was so glad to re-connect with her during the last 10 years. Her support of me and my projects was invaluable. I will miss her. "
"Verna always has a smile and warm words for everyone. Welcome was her forte. She can't be replicated and will be missed."
"Sending prayer's to the family. Remember growing up with some of the children. I graduated with Linda and remember how kind the family was. Our sincere condolances for the loss of your mother."
"Nancy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"What a wonderful legacy your mother left for you with your father. Strong roots yield a strong family. Mrs Foster was a strong influence in your lives but also in her community. We send our deepest sympathies for the loss of your dear mother. Carl and Susan Keeney. Also the MCHS Class of 1969. "
"Sorry for the lost of your mother. Heaven will rejoice! She was a wonderful person who touch many of lives in a pissitive way. She had left warm memories upon her students."
"I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. I know my dad talked very fondly of Verna & Melvin. Said that he learned a lot from staying on their farm with them. The lessons he learned from Verna & Melvin is now passed on to us kids and grand kids, What a wonderful loving lady she was. Anyone that knew Verna was blessed to have known her. So full of knowledge . My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May she rest in peace."
"One of my favorite teachers . I graduated from school in 1985. She was a nice person and a good teacher. My sympathies to her family . "
"So sorry. Condolences to the family."
"Sympathy to all the family. Verna was the best? We loved her very much. God bless."
"Verna was a great neighbor for a time she would read to our daughter after school. I also had worked with Verna in he home privately. I could have sat with her all day and just listened to her stories. She will be missed by many but her love will carry on. The Haiar Family. "
"So sorry for the passing of Verna Foster.She was a lovely lady and I will miss her so much.I enjoyed my time with her and taking care of her as well."
"Mrs. Foster was my second grade teacher and I adored her. Jim, Terri, Nancy - you and Linda babysit us as kids - the Moore's. Bob - you were a classmate. I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing -she was a peach!!"
"So sorry to hear of Verna's death. She was a good person and a good neighbor. She will finally be with your Dad again . May she rest in peace. Sheila Bentley"
"Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother . Mark Rockwell in Galena , Il "